Parent infant exercise equipment

ABSTRACT

The Parent Infant Exercise Equipment is a stationary exercise bicycle with a removable infant carrier attached near the bicycle&#39;s handle bars in such a way that the infant faces the parent or other caretaker. The infant carrier is connected to the pedaling mechanism of the bicycle through a drive belt which creates soft vibrations and swinging motions when pedaling This exercise equipment enables the person exercising to have an infant or small child in close proximity during her/his workout while simultaneously providing a comfortable experience for the infant especially through soft vibrations and gentle swinging motions.

I claim priority for the invention described. A German patent has been granted by the Deutsches Patent-und Markenamt in Munich (Patent Nr. 10 2005 051 962.8-15, filed on Oct. 29, 2005) and I am now applying for patent registration of the same device in the United States.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a stationary exercise bicycle with firmly attached handle bars and a removable infant carrier in the area of the handle bars. Exercise bicycles are widely known and used at home or in fitness centers. However, a person who has to take care of a small child, especially an infant, faces a challenge of how to supervise the child while using an exercise bicycle or other fitness equipment. This makes working out difficult or even impossible.

There is a need for a new type of fitness equipment which enables a person with a dependent small child to do a work out and at the same time supervise and interact with the child. The goal of this invention is to create an exercise bicycle which enables a caretaker to have a dependant small child in close proximity and interact with the child during the workout. Another objective is to create soft vibrations and gentle swinging motions with the infant carrier, so that it will be experienced as comfortable and soothing by the infant, which is crucial for the acceptance by the infant.

A number of child carrier attachments have been invented as typified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,627, issued Jan. 6, 1998 to E. Davis and A. Saddler and U.S. Pat. Application Pub. No. US 2004/0061361 A1, Pub. Date Apr. 1, 2004 by M. Jefferson et al. The patent to Davis and Saddler shows a child carriage attachment for a wheelchair and the patent application by Jefferson et al shows a child carrier attachment for bicycles.

While the above mentioned patents do teach child carrier attachments for bicycles and wheelchairs the prior art does not teach an infant carrier attachment to a stationary exercise equipment or other type of fitness devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Parent-Infant Exercise Equipment is a new type of fitness equipment, specifically a stationary exercise bicycle, that allows parents to exercise at home—or in a fitness center—while at the same time spend quality time with their infant or toddler. A infant carrier is safely attached near the bicycle's handle bars, so that the infant or toddler faces the parent or other caretaker. The infant carrier is connected to the peddling mechanism of the bike through a drive belt. The carrier is adjustable, so that it can be elevated to a level where the infant can have eye-to-eye contact with the parent. It is also removable, which allows for an exchange of the infant carrier (e.g. for a larger one) or for use of the bicycle without the infant carrier. This exercise bicycle enables the person exercising to have an infant in close proximity during her/his workout while providing a comfortable experience to the infant, especially through soft vibrations and gentle swinging motions.

In addition to this mechanical mode, a drive unit, which is powered by an electrical engine is integrated into the infant seat, and is also able to set the seat into vibration and motion. A control element connected to the drive unit enables a change of amplitude and/or frequency of the vibrations.

This invention is not limited to exercise bicycles, but can also be applied to other types of exercise equipment, such as a treadmill or a rowing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail in the attached drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an exercise bike with an attached infant seat from a lateral view

FIG. 2 also demonstrates a lateral view

FIG. 3 shows a rear view

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The proposed exercise equipment is characterized by an infant carrier in the area of a stationary bicycle's handle bars and a drive unit, which is attached below the carrier. This enables the person exercising to have a child/infant in close proximity during her/his workout while providing a comfortable experience to the infant, especially through soft vibrations and gentle swinging motions. The infant carrier is attached to the exercise bicycle by rubber-bonded metal elements as an anti-vibration buffer, which allows the infant carrier some freedom of movement. It also contains safety straps to prevent the infant from falling out of the carrier during the exercise. The carrier is also removable, which allows for an exchange (e.g. for a larger one) or for use of the exercise bicycle without an infant carrier.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3 an infant carrier (1) is attached by rubber-bonded metal buffers (3.1) to the area of the handle bars (3) of the exercise bicycle (2) The pedaling mechanism (2.1) of the exercise bicycle has a pulley (2.2) over which an endless drive belt (5) runs. The drive belt is connected to a rotating disc which is attached to the infant carrier. Attached to this disc is an eccentric tappet which sets the infant carrier into vibration and motion when a person is exercising. According to a modified version of the invention, a drive unit, which is powered by an electrical engine with an eccentric tappet attached, is integrated into the infant carrier and is also able to set the carrier into vibration and motion. A control element (not shown in the drawings) connected to the drive unit enables a change of amplitude and/or frequency of the eccentric tappet.

Also, while the disclosed invention has been described in connection with a stationary exercise bicycle it should be understood that this invention is not limited to stationary exercise bicycles, but can also be applied to other fitness devices such as rowing machines or treadmills. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stationary exercise equipment with firmly attached handle bars (3) to which a removable infant carrier (1) is attached and a drive unit under the infant carrier (1) which can set the infant carrier into motion.
 2. An exercise equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the described motions of the infant carrier (1) are gentle swinging motions and vibrations.
 3. An exercise equipment as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the infant carrier (1) is attached to the exercise bicycle by means of a clamp and rubber-metal connection (3.1).
 4. An exercise equipment as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein an infant carrier (1) is attached to the exercise device by means of a clamp.
 5. An exercise equipment as claimed in claims 1 to 4 wherein a drive unit is integrated into the infant carrier (1).
 6. An exercise equipment as claimed in claims 2 to 3 wherein the exercise equipment is a stationary exercise bicycle.
 7. A stationary exercise bicycle according to claims 1 to 4 wherein drive unit is mechanically connected to the pedaling mechanism (2.1) of the exercise bicycle (2)
 8. An exercise equipment as claimed in claim 6 wherein the drive unit is connected to the pedaling mechanism of the exercise bicycle by means of an endless belt (5).
 9. A stationary exercise bicycle as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein the drive unit includes an electrical engine with an eccentric tappet.
 10. A stationary exercise bicycle as claimed in claims 2 to 9 wherein the drive unit includes a control element which allows to change the amplitude and frequency of the vibrations and swinging motions. 